Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
Parfums de Nicolaï Juste Un Rêve (1996), true to its name, is a dream of a fragrance. A dream of lush flowers dropping petals onto hot sand and of sweet haze of carefree summer. A burst of opulent monoi warms up the skin like a ray of sunshine. There is nothing bashful about its sumptuous scent redolent of coconut and white peaches. Yet, it is a perfect setting for the intertwining melody of luscious sweet rose and banana tinged jasmine. Creamy and satiny, it is a fragrance that stays close to the skin, yet entices if one is lucky to get close enough to the wearer. A whisper of iris balances out what could have been an overly sweet and lush drydown, resulting in a perfectly ornamented composition, which could not be described as anything but stunning.
I never fail to be surprised by the lack of attention Parfums de Nicolaï receive in the States, not only because the fragrances are masterfully composed, but also because the range of both personal and room fragrances is diverse and exciting. Perhaps, it is because the products are much more reasonably priced in Europe, while in the States, they incur a heavy markup. Parfums de Nicolaï were founded by Patricia de Nicolaï, a descendant of Pierre Guerlain, Jacques Guerlain’s brother, and her husband Jean-Louis Michau in 1989. The house has several boutiques, the locations of which can be discovered directly from Parfums de Nicolaï. Fragrances and ancillary products are available online at Beautyhabit, First-in-Frangrance, New London Pharmacy, Senteurs d’Ailleurs.
10 Comments
Sisonne: Hi V, Parfums de Nicolai aren´t generally reasonably priced in Europe, they are in France, but in Germany the prices are very high(44,- € EdP in France – 79,- € EdP in Germany). I just discovered Petite Ange & really love it. Among my favourites are Mimosaique & Vanille Tonka, & I really like Vie de Chateau – it´s on my wish-list:D I do like Juste un Rêve, too, but I think it´s a bit too feminine for me – I can´t describe it better. I prefer MPG´s Fleur des Comores – I think it´s in the same range: lush, tropical & sweet, to me it´s perfect for summer – when wearing it I feel like being on a tropical island 🙂 August 19, 2005 at 7:04am
Laura: Hi dear V! I’m a big PdN fan, too. Her Eclipse is heartbreakingly beautiful. PdNs are very well made and well conceived fragrances in general. The SA’s at the rue Grenelle boutique ( or Rue de l’Universite–one of those streets) are always very helpful and low-key. August 19, 2005 at 6:38am
BoisdeJasmin: Dear Laura, I need to revisit Eclipse again, which I thought was a gorgeous fragrance, when I first tried it. I like the entire line, with very few exceptions. Ms. Nicolaï’s work never fails to please.
xoxo August 19, 2005 at 9:41am
BoisdeJasmin: Dear C, I see. Then you must have had a lot of fun at their store recently. 🙂 I also enjoy Mimosaique as well as Vanille Tonka, which is a warm skin perfume for me. You captured MPG´s Fleur des Comores really well–it is indeed lush and tropical, with enough edge to remain unique. August 19, 2005 at 9:43am
Diane: ‘Morning, dear! Juste Un Reve is my favorite fragrance by Nicolai. It’s just the dreamiest composition and now I wish I had some, especially since we’re at the end of summer (although, Autumn, come to mama!).
I hope you’re doing well. I just wrote you. xoxo~~~ August 19, 2005 at 12:08pm
Tania: I always forget to try the PdNs. Aren’t they at Aedes? Too lazy to look it up. I never see them there–must be in back. Note to self: seek out PdN. August 19, 2005 at 3:28pm
BoisdeJasmin: Diane,
Thank you for the email! Today is a very autumnal day, which makes appreciate Juste Un Reve even more–it reminds me of what I think of as perfect summer.
xoxo August 19, 2005 at 3:47pm
BoisdeJasmin: Tania,
No, Aedes does not have them anymore, but New London Pharmacy (8th and 23rd) does. It is a very nice store, with a variety of small fragrances lines. You should definitely stop by, if you are in the neighbourhood. August 19, 2005 at 3:49pm
Laura/kyahgirl: Hi V. What a beautiful review. This is one of my favorite PdNs and I wore it all weekend! August 22, 2005 at 12:40pm
BoisdeJasmin: Dear Laura, thank you! This is the embodiment of summer for me. I wore it ever since it was released. August 22, 2005 at 12:46pm